Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
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Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | |
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File:Hollywood Casino Charles Town logo.svg | |
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Location | Jefferson County, West Virginia, USA |
Address | 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, WV 25414 |
Opening date | December 3, 1933 |
Theme | Hollywood |
No. of rooms | 153 |
Total gaming space | 511,249 sq ft (47,496.6 m2) |
Signature attractions | The Event Center at Hollywood Casino |
Notable restaurants | Final Cut Steakhouse, 9 Dragons, Barstool Sportsbook, The Eatery |
Casino type | Racino |
Owner | Gaming and Leisure Properties |
Operating license holder | Penn Entertainment |
Previous names | Jefferson County Races, Charles Town Races & Slots |
Coordinates | Coordinates: 39°17′44″N 77°50′55″W / 39.2956497°N 77.8486061°W |
Website | hollywoodcasinocharlestown |
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is a casino, hotel and thoroughbred horse racing complex located in Charles Town, West Virginia, 60 miles (97 km) northwest of Washington D.C. It is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Penn Entertainment.
History
Background and development
Founded by Albert and Joseph Boyle as Jefferson County Races, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races became America’s first winter race meet upon its opening in December 1933.[1] The Boyles spent $160,000 to build the facility (a huge sum during the height of the Great Depression) believing that it would draw large crowds due to it being the only northern track to hold races during the winter season, and they were right. Even with freezing temperatures and odds being calculated by slide rule, the grandstand overflowed. Train service from Baltimore boosted attendance, and the track continued to thrive through World War II.[2]
The facility attracted many notable guests, including J. Edgar Hoover, who was a regular visitor, and John F. Kennedy during his campaign for Presidency.[3]
Ownership changes and expansion
The racetrack was sold to Shenandoah Corporation in 1972. Shenandoah Corporation also owned Shenandoah Downs, which was Charles Town Races only competitor. After the closure of Shenandoah Downs in 1975, year-round racing was moved to Charles Town.[2]
During the 1990s, purses fell, leading to dwindling attendance and fewer high-caliber horses. The track’s future was in serious doubt, and many observers feared the facility would close for good. Then, during the fall of 1996, voters approved video lottery machines at Charles Town.[1] Shortly after, Penn National Gaming (now Penn Entertainment) agreed to purchase the facility in 1997, and immediately began a $175,000,000 upgrade of the venue.[4] These upgrades included the addition of simulcast racing, numerous dining options, and 3,500 slot machines. Table games were also added in 2010, along with an event center for live concerts and shows.
Horse racing
The Sprint Festival
In 2008, the track inaugurated The Sprint Festival, four open stakes worth a total of $500,000. These are the 4½ furlong $200,000 Charles Town Invitational Dash for colts and geldings three-years-old and up, the $100,000 Lady Charles Town for 3-year-old fillies at 4½ furlongs, the $100,000 West Virginia Sprint Derby for 3-year-olds at 4½ furlongs, and the $100,000 Red Legend Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.
West Virginia Breeders' Classics
In 1987, NFL Hall of Fame Sam Huff organized the first West Virginia Breeders’ Classics. Local favorite Onion Juice won the inaugural running and the state’s first $100,000 purse.
- Biggest race of the day is the $500,000 West Virginia Breeders' Classic.
- Total purses for the day combine for a total $1,000,000.
Charles Town Classic
In 2009, it inaugurated the Charles Town Classic for older horses running a distance of one and 1/8 mile. The purse was "tiered" and was determined by the graded status of the winner. The purse's range was from between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Researcher won the 1st and 2nd Charles Town Classic races. In 2013, the purse was increased to $1,500,000 with the winner receiving $1,000,000, making the Grade 3 Charles Town Classic one of the richest Thoroughbred race contested in U.S. surpassed only by the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race has attracted top-class performers including Game On Dude and Shared Belief.
Graded events
The following Graded events were held at Charles Town Races in 2019.
Grade III
Other facilities
Hotel
Also on the property is a 153-room hotel, The Inn at Charles Town, and several dining facilities including: a food court, sports bar, fine dining restaurant, and the Skyline Terrace which overlooks the track. However, while a hot buffet breakfast is served at the hotel, the previously mentioned dining facilities are not located in the hotel. The property offers a shuttle between the hotel and casino/racetrack for its patrons.
Table games
On December 5, 2009, a second referendum was held on table games and this time voters approved the referendum to allow table games at the venue. As of July 2, 2010, the facility, for years known as "Charles Town Races & Slots," was renamed "Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races".
Sports betting
On August 30, 2018, sports betting began at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The casino is the first in West Virginia to offer sports betting.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races". www.americasbestracing.net. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
- ^ a b https://www.twinspires.com/hollywood-casino-at-charles-town-races
- ^ "Charles Town | Thoroughbred OwnerView – Thoroughbred Owners, Thoroughbred Trainers, Thoroughbred Partnerships, Thoroughbred Retirement". www.ownerview.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
- ^ "Racetrack Finds Winning Formula Series: Occ". Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
- ^ Ramsey, Eric (August 30, 2018). "Hollywood Casino Launches West Virginia Sports Betting Ahead of Schedule". Legal Sports Report. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Articles needing cleanup from August 2022
- Articles with bare URLs for citations from August 2022
- All articles with bare URLs for citations
- Use mdy dates from August 2021
- Coordinates not on Wikidata
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- AC with 0 elements
- Casinos in West Virginia
- Horse racing venues in West Virginia
- Buildings and structures in Jefferson County, West Virginia
- Tourist attractions in Jefferson County, West Virginia
- Charles Town, West Virginia